Deadline Date: April 27, 2026
The Urban Future Prize Competition seeks entrepreneurs who are building startups that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable planet.
The competition features two prize tracks: Climate Mitigation and Climate Adaptation. The Climate Mitigation track focuses on solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the root causes of climate change. The Climate Adaptation track focuses on solutions that help communities and ecosystems adapt to climate impacts and build resilience.
The Climate Mitigation Prize, sponsored by MUFG Bank and The New York Community Trust, supports startups developing technologies or business models aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate impacts. They also consider how proposed solutions benefit vulnerable communities. The Climate Adaptation Prize supports startups developing solutions that help communities and ecosystems adjust to the effects of climate change and strengthen resilience against climate-related risks.
The areas covered include renewable energy, smart grids, energy storage and distribution, circular economy, transportation, energy-efficient buildings, climate finance, industrial decarbonization, artificial intelligence infrastructure, robotics and advanced materials, insurance and risk analysis, water security, heat-resistant materials, urban resilience, extreme weather solutions, early warning systems, biodiversity protection, public health, food security, and climate adaptation financing.
Two winning companies will each receive funding of $50,000, while the runner-up in each track will receive $10,000. Climatetech startups are eligible to apply if they have raised less than $5 million in private capital investment and are developing a solution that aligns with at least one of the 2026 prize tracks.
For more information, visit Urban Future Lab.
